Skirt form



which 12, 1957 BR T 2,784,413

SKIRT FORM Filed March 14, 1.955

. INVENTOR. l/V/u/AM f 51%? ATTORA/fJ S United States Patent ce M31321;

SKIRT FORM William J. Brett, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Milford Products Corp., Milford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application March 14, 1955, Serial No. 493,911 2 Claims. (Cl. 2-216) This invention comprises a skirt form of the type which is worn with flared and bouffont skirts as a substitute for underskirts of the type now commonly worn to flare out the overlying dress and of which sometimes several are worn at once.

One object of this invention is to provide a substitute of this type which can take the place of several underskirts or may be used with one or more underskirts, if desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a skirt form of this type which is exceedingly simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and put on, and adapted to simple packaging.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of this type which gives a hoop skirt eflect while permitting more graceful movements and disposal of the clothing of the wearer, especially when sitting down.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a skirt form of this type which is adequately flexible.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a skirt form comprising three vertically disposed ring shaped members, one adapted to fit the wearers waist connected by a plurality of longitudinally extending detachable tapes to facilitate formation of a single unit.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the description of the embodiment thereof illustrated in the attached drawing.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a perspective view of the skirt form of this invention applied in wearing position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the assembly in relation to one longitudinal tape;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail elevational view of one of the flexible hoop member assemblies; and

Figure 4 is a combination, cross-sectional and elevational view from the point 4-4 of Figure 2.

Fashion from time to time dictates that ladies wear dresses and skirts of the widely flared type, the skirts being known as boutfont skirts. In practice the flared dress or bouifont skirt is worn over one, and sometimes several, superposed, more or less form-sustaining, underskirts which are made of an openwork stiffened material. This assembly is, of course, form fitting at the waist and flares out significantly in a downward direction to the hem of the dress. The underskirt or skirts contribute to this flaring action and provide an effect which is attractive.

The nature of the underskirts as commonly used is such as to be the subject of a number of disadvantages. For example, the underskirts are frequently too warm to wear, especially if several are worn. The material of which they are made is frequently stiff and harsh, and therefore irritating to the wearer, and possibly damaging to the stockings. Another disadvantage is that as these underskirts are worn they become soiled so as to require washing and cleaning, whereby they tend to lose their original stiffness and shape. There are, of course, other disadvantages.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a substitute 2 for these underskirts which has substantially all of the advantages thereof while avoiding their disadvantages. The advantages will be apparent from an understanding of the construction.

As illustrated in the drawing, the construction comprises three vertically spaced, substantially cylindrical hoop or band members 10, 12 and 14. The uper band member forms the belt of the structure and is preferably made of any suitable stretchable material, as for example a woven or elastic knitted band. This band may be in the form of an endless ring, or an open type with a fastening device to fasten it around the waist. In the caseillustrated, the elastic band 10 forms a closed loop'through which the wearer can step. The loop can be stretched to move it over the hips into position at the waist. The two lower hoops or ring members 12 and 14, in accordance with this invention, comprise two tubular tapes which can be in the form or be made as shown from flat strips of suitable material which are folded upon themselves and stitched as at S, allowing one edge to provide tube forming tapes. This structure is clearly shown in the various figures and as illustrated the ends of these tubular tapes can be provided with mating sections of snap fasteners as a suitable means for attaching their ends.

Each of the tubular tapes 12 and 14 is provided with a spring wire circular form-sustaining member 20 and 22 respectively. As illustrated in 'Figure 3 with regard to the spring wire 20, one end of the wire is provided with a tubular socket fixture 24 into which the other end of the wire 20 frictionally engages to complete the circular form.

Each tubular tape 12 and 14 has in addition to the terminal fastening snap fasteners 26 one portion of each of a series of fastening devices such as the snap fasteners 18, distributed equi-distantly therealong. These three vertically disposed ring like members are connected by a series of longitudinal tapes 16 of any suitable material, as for example woven narrow fabrics. Distributed at the proper spacing along the tapes 16 are the other parts of the snap fasteners 18. The upper ends of the tapes are permanently attached, as by sewing, to the elastic waistband 10. The wire enclosed hoop members 12 and 14 are connected by the snap fasteners in spaced relation by the tapes 16 to comprise a complete assembly shown in Figure 1. For consistency it may be noted that the terminal snap fasteners for the tubular member 14, corresponding to the snap fasteners 26, Fig. 3, are shown at 28 in Fig. 1.

It will be seen that the device of this invention can be easily packaged for distribution and sale in a very flat package, similar to a phonograph record envelope. The elastic waistband 10, with the attached longitudinal suspension strap 16, form one piece, the fabric tapes 12 and 14 form two additional pieces, and the insertable wires 20 and 22 form the other two pieces. This facilitates packaging and distribution.

The assembly of these elements into a completed structure is obviously quite simple, as explained above. When the assembly is supported on the waist of the wearer, as illustrated in Figure 1, it forms a downwardly flaring cage, having a three dimensional configuration quite similar to the stiffened underskirt which it replaces. When the outer dress or skirt is put over the assembly it will hold it out in a flared condition, quite similar to the way the flared underskirts for which it substitutes do.

It is of course apparent that this device if worn alone is quite cool and eliminates the weight and heating eifect of one or more underskirts. It will be readily apparent that if one wishes, 'a stiffened flared underskirt could be worn over the device of this invention with which it 3 produces the elfect of several superposed skirts. At the same time such an assembly is relatively cooler than several superposed underskirts.

It will be apparent from this description that the details of this invention are capable of considerable variation without departing from the novelty thereof. I prefer, therefore, only to be limited as required by the claims granted me.

, What is claimed is:

1. A skirt form comprising an elastic belt, a plurality of vertically extending tapes each secured at one end to circumferentialiy spaced points on said belt, a plurality of open ended fabric tubes, a spring metal wire in each of said tubes, means on the ends of each wire to detachably secure said ends together to provide continuous form-sustaining rings, means on the ends of said tubes to detachably secure these ends together, fastening device elements secured to each tape at vertically spaced points Z therealong and cooperating fastening device elements secured to each tubing at circumferentially spaced points for respective detachable engagement with the elements on said tapes, said fastening device elements detachably securing said fabric tubes in horizontal vertically spaced relation on said tapes.

2. In the combination of claim 1, said means on the ends of each wire comprising open ended metal sleeves into which the ends of the wires easily fit in aligned relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

